Loose dog kills 280 chickens at Bird Creek Farms

Published 6:30 am, Saturday, May 28, 2016

PORT AUSTIN — Authorities say 280 chickens were killed Friday morning after a dog got loose at Bird Creek Farms, located on Grindstone Road on the east side of the village.

According to the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene about 8:30 a.m., where it was determined that a husky found at the scene was responsible. In all, 120 hens and 160 six-week-old chicks were killed.

The dog reportedly wandered away from its owner’s residence, just blocks away within the village. The dog’s owner, a 26-year-old Port Austin female, was originally unknown, but was later located through the use of social media.

The value of the loss has not been determined, but it is believed it will exceed several thousand dollars, the sheriff’s office reported.

“The event this morning did not impact our ability to serve the best organic chicken at our tap room in dishes such as chicken and waffles and curry chicken,” Steigerwald said.

He said the farm has hundreds of chickens that survived.

“This won’t impact our customers at the farmer’s markets in Port Austin and Birmingham and the fine restaurants like The Farm in Port Austin and Gold Cash Gold, Rose’s Fine Foods and Selden Standard in the Detroit area.”

The dog was taken to the Thumb Animal Shelter until it’s decided whether charges will be sought.

The sheriff’s office reminds dog owners not to allow their pets to wander at large because they are responsible should their pets injure someone or damage someone’s property.

Bird Creek Farms comprises 40 acres of alfalfa, annual vegetables and a stretch of the Bird Creek watershed. According to the business’s website, a large, multi-breed laying flock lives on the farm.